GUELPH – Innovation Guelph, a regional innovation centre, is celebrating its 10th year of supporting businesses.
Aug. 24 marks the innovation centre’s 10th anniversary since being founded in 2011. For 10 years, the centre has been providing mentorship and business support programs and services to help innovative enterprises start, grow and thrive.
Reflecting on the milestone, CEO Anne Toner Fung said, “Over the last 10 years, Innovation Guelph has made a difference by supporting businesses that can—and do—change the world. The outcome is an innovation ecosystem that drives economic growth, supports environmental sustainability and enhances the quality of life for everyone in our region.”
Over the last decade, Innovation Guelph has supported more than 1,327 businesses from startups to scale-ups through its accelerator programs which led to the creation of 1,756 jobs.
Its programs focus on agri-innovation, information and communication technology, advanced manufacturing and cleantech.
More than 350 Canadian companies across southwestern Ontario and beyond are supported each year.
Last year alone, Innovation Guelph mentors and industry specialists spent more than 11,277 consulting hours with clients helping them to solve problems and succeed.
“Celebrating 10 years must include recognizing our incredible team, our clients, and our partners – people who made our success possible. I’ve never been more optimistic about the future of Innovation Guelph,” said Toner Fung.
The centre marked the occasion with the publishing of a commemorative book and the launch of two unique food and beverage gift boxes that showcase local innovators, startups and small and medium enterprises.
Books and gift boxes will be available for sale this fall. Visit www.InnovationGuelph.ca for details.
Innovation Guelph offers unique programs and initiatives to support businesses from different sectors and stages, including the Startup Program, Fast Lane, Rhyze Ventures and RhyzeUp! for women entrepreneurs.
Its newest program, Circular Food Economy (CFE) iHub, supports the creation of new businesses and collaborations that contribute to a circular food economy by developing circular food solutions.
